La Merce Barcelona 2014 Program
The much awaited festival of festivals, La Merce Barcelona 2014 is finally here. The events schedule has been officially announced and is placed below in the post. The festivities are going to start from third weekend of September, commencing 19 Sep 2014 and go on for six full days. The excitement and madness would end with closing ceremony on 24 Sep 14.
We are attending, Are you?
We are so delighted to share with you that We at, Travel Jots are attending La Merce this year. As we prepare for the festival and experience it for the first time, we are going to update this featured post on “La Merce Barcelona 2014” for you. We will share our travel notes for Barcelona Trip, Programa da fiesta and our experience at the festival in this post.
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Are you attending La Merce Barcelona 2014 too?, then follow this post for tips and updates for attending the festival, travelling to Barcelona and staying at the city. Even if you are not attending the festival, you can experience the festival along with us through this featured post. We will cover the run up to the festival and experience of La Merce Barcelona 2014 for you right from Barcelona itself.
What is La Merce?
For those of you, who have still not caught up with La Merce, we take this oppurtunity to acquaint with this festival. First of all, do not feel sorry for your lack of knowledge because festival of La Merce has been purposefully kept closely guarded and you will soon discover why.
photo credit: Carlos Lorenzo via photopin cc
La Merce is the annual catalan festival celebrated on September 24th in Bareclona since 1871. It is an official holiday in the city when special cultural programs are organised in the city to solemnize the Roman Catholic feast day of our Lady of Merce. The festivities begin few days prior to 24th September, so as to include the previous weekend. This is one of the festivals which Barcelona people wants to keep it to themselves. You would be surprised that events schedule of the festival is not released until two weeks of the festival to keep visitors guessing till last minute for their travel plans. But do not Worry, we have the confirmed Program of La Merce Barcelona 2014 with dates for you in this post.
Confirmed Program for La Merce Barcelona 2014 with Dates
Here is the Officially confirmed program of La Merce 2014 for the main events.
| Time | Event | Location |
| 19 Sep, Friday | ||
| 1900h | Inaugural Sardana Dancing | Avinguda de la Cathedral |
| 1900h | Opening Speech and Ceremony | Pl. Sant Jaume |
| 2115h | Projection Show | Pl. Sant Jaume |
| 20 Sep, Saturday | ||
| 1100 – 1800h | Mercè Dansa | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 1900h | Sardana Dancing | |
| 1815h – 2000h | The Guests of the City’s Giants – Giant’s Parade | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 2100h | Parade of the Fire Breathing Dragons and Beasts | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 21 Sep, Sunday | ||
| 1000h | Stick Dancing | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 1100h | Performance by the Falcons deBarcelona and Falcons de Castellcir | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 1100h | Castells- Human Pyramids | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 1300-1800h | Sardana Dancing | Placa Sant JaumeAvinguda de la Cathedral |
| 1800h | Choral Concert | Avinguda de la Cathedral |
| 1800h | La Tabalada Drum Parade | Pl. del Rei |
| 1830h | Little Devils’ Correfoc – Fire Run | Via Laietana-Joan Massana |
| 2015h | La Mercè Correfoc – Fire Run | Via Laietana-Pl. Antoni Maura |
| 2045 – 2245h | Projections Show | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 22 Sep, Monday | ||
| 2045 – 2245h | Projections Show | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 23 Sep, Tuesday | ||
| 2100 – 2200h | Parade of the Giants | Starts at Museu MarítimEnds at Pl. Sant Jaume |
| 2045 – 2245h | Projections Show | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 24 Sep, Wednesday | ||
| 0800h | Piper’s Morning Call | Placa de la Mercè |
| 0945-1015h | Parade of Trabucaire Blunderbass Gala | Starts at Portal de l’Àngel Ends at Pl. Sant Jaume |
| 1200h | Parade of the Dwarfs and Giants | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 1200h | Human Pyramids | Placa de la Mercè |
| 1215h | Dances of the Eagles and Giants of the City | Placa Sant Jaume |
| 2100h | Start of the Closing Ceremony | Placa del Rei |
| 2200h | End of the Closing Ceremonyand Counter dance by the Giants | Palau de la Virreina |
Where to Stay for La Merce Barcelona 2014 ?
The various venues of La Merce are marked in the map below. It is understood that these Venues are close to each other. Ther are lot of good hostels and hotels to choose from in this area. The localities and landmarks around are Placa de Catalunya, Las Rambla etc.
However, it is important to mention that the festival area is full of crowds during the festival and therefore it is difficult to commute for the tourists. Due to the loud atmosphere, it is impossible to catch a good night sleep. You may choose to stay at farther areas in Barcelona to avoid these problems but, then you would be staying out of the festival zone of “La Merce Barcelona 2014” and defeat the very purpose of your visit. Also, there is more time wasted in commuting during the crowded festival time. Therefore, we suggest you to stay at a place within 1-2 Km radius of this festival zone to enjoy the festival in the best way and get good sleep as well. We highly recommend you to stay at TOC hostel Barcelona (also marked in map), which is ideally located at a walking distance of 1.5 K.m. from the festival zone.
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TOC Hostel & Suites, Barcelona
This boutique hostel is a perfect place to stay for La Merce Barcelona 2014 for both Luxury seekers as well as Budget backpackers. This brand new chic hostel is located in the heart of Barcelona and has appealing and stylish design. The hostel provides dormitory beds as well as private suites to their customers. The staff of the hostel is helpful and specially geared up to provide you all necessary assistance for La Merce Barcelona 2014. In order to stay close to La Merce, you are advised to choose privates or dorms at the hostel before they get sold out.
The hostel has a 24 hour reception and no issues of curfew. It also provides free wifi and secure lockers to their customers. Also, you may rent out bicycles from them and bike around Barcelona city during La Merce. The hostel has a celebrated terrace area next to a private swimming pool, which is perfect relaxing place for sunny afternoons. This hostel is one of the personal recommendations of Travel Jots for staying at Barcelona due to its chic design, premium location, customer friendly staff and loads of amenities. You may check out this hostel for yourself at the hostel website of Toc Hostel Barcelona and would surely find this to be a genuine recommendation. Since they are newly opened, they seem to be running an early booking promotional discount offer. It would be certainly great if you could manage a booking at this place in the promotional rates for La Merce Barcelona 2014 before it is sold out. You may contact them for any further queries.
Terrace at Toc Hostel Barcelona
Are you travelling to Barcelona for La Merce?
If you are planning to visit Barcelona for La Merce 2014 then you will need to book tickets early. However, flight tickets are going to be costly for such last minute bookings. Do not worry, we have jotted down these low cost tips for travelling for La Merce Barcelona 2014 just for readers of Travel Jots.
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We would like to hear more about La Merce Barcelona 2014 from you through comments. Do not forget to share your views, past experiences and travel tips with us.
